Let’s begin this guide by defining the elephant in the room, ‘AutoHotkey’.
AutoHotkey is a powerful and free automation tool that allows you to perform any task automatically on your windows machine.
If your new to using AutoHotkey, downloading is required (you will need to visit the home page of AutoHotkey to download the AHK installer and install it) and a good idea is to also get a text editor such as Notepad++.
Then there after write or copy the basic AutoHotkey scripts below, save and run them.
Most people using AutoHotkey scripts use them to perform day to day functions such as computing shortcuts, answering emails and perform all kinds of repetitive mass tasks.
Here are some of the scripts that will jump start you from novice level to become an AutoHotkey expert, one day.
- Say Hello world
When we want a basic script to write something like “Hello World, this is my first AutoHotkey Script”, Then the AHK code can be,
^! w::Send, Hello World, this is my first script!
- Special characters
Some qwerty keyboards don’t usually display special characters and a pretty tedious process often ensues when accessing characters like β, ™,µ or Ω.
Frequent users of such characters will appreciate the use of AutoHotkey for the speedy insertion.
So if you want to insert the # symbol, you can use this AutoHotkey script
+3::SendInput {#}
- Launch Firefox browser
When you need a shortcut that opens the Firefox internet browser, an AutoHotkey script can do that.
Firefox has a setting that checks if the browser is open and if it’s on, it switches to that.
#f::Run Firefox
- Different digital signatures
Everyone is prone to have multiple signatures for online work, personal use or blogging.
AutoHotkey comes in handy when making shortcuts for each signature.
If you name one of the blogging signatures as bsig, then the AutoHotkey script will be as follows.
::bsig:: Name{enter} Title{enter} Company Name{enter} Contact
- AutoHotkey for frequently accessed folders
Are there frequently used folders that seem to be a bother to trying locating?
Sometimes the ‘Recent Places‘ feature of Microsoft windows may not be handy in locating it.
The endless double clicking can drive someone mad especially when dealing with enormous workload.
#0::Run C:\Documents and Settings\YourUsername\MyDocuments\YourFolder\YourSubfolder
For example : We use this script to access ‘Blues’ folder in Elsa’s company PC this will be
#0::Run C:\Documents and Settings\ABCsecretary\MyDocuments\Elsa\Blues
- AutoHotkey to disable lock keys
The Num lock, Scroll lock, and Caps lock have lost relevance in modern day computing.
Therefore you can make windows play sound when you accidentally hit these keys.
One thing you can do to these key is to set them to default through this script.
; Set Lock keys permanently SetNumlockState, AlwaysOn SetCapsLockState, AlwaysOff SetScrollLockState, AlwaysOff Return
- Search using chrome search tool
Google did away with the Caps Lock key and instead replaced this with a search button on Google machines.
Woe unto those who don’t use chrome gadget but want to search.
Don’t fret there is a script to achieve the same functionality.
Run, http://www.google.com/search?
- Paste into CMD
One feature that windows 7 have letdown is that if you want to copy paste into command prompt you have to right click to paste.
Unfortunately in windows cmd, CTRL+V is invalid. If you wish, you can use insert as AutoHotkey can help you to paste what you copied, here is the code
Insert::send %clipboard%
- Increasing volume
The following code enables you to easily Increase the volume on your system.
; Custom volume buttons
+NumpadAdd:: Send {Volume_Up} ;shift + numpad plus
+NumpadSub:: Send {Volume_Down} ;shift + numpad minus
break::Send {Volume_Mute} ; Break key mutes
Return
- Empty Recycle Bin
Imagine if there is a robot programmed to take out the trash from your house. Hooray!
Too bad the future isn’t here, but this script will empty thrash in your computer without using a mouse.
#Del::FileRecycleEmpty ; win + del
- Keep a Window Always on Top
At times you want a window to be on top of other windows regardless of whatever window you are working on.
You may want a calculator to be on top when working on spreadsheets.
Using AutoHotkey, you can achieve this with a single line of code.
^SPACE:: Winset, Alwaysontop, , A ; ctrl + space
Hopefully the above basic scripts can help you to hone your skills in AutoHotkey.
However be sure to note places where use of AutoHotkey is or isn’t permissible.
As the use of AutoHotkey scripts is looked down on, in some games, because it’s considered fraudulent and can warrant a ban.
But lets hear what some of your uses for Autohotkey is?
